Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Thanks Giving

For Thanks Giving we went to Ohio to be with my cousin Joel, his wife Jen, and their 6 wonderful children. We had a fabulous time, minus my very ill-behaved children. We participated in Joel and Jen's family tradition "Pie for Breakfast." They invite neighbors and friends, church members, school friends. There were so many people there, it was really fun to meet so many good people. Then when the crowds went home, Joel and Jen and most of their children prepared a delicious feast for us all to enjoy. At nights when the children were put to bed, Dustin and I enjoyed talking with Joel and Jen. The day after Thanks Giving, Joel and Jen loaded all 13 of us into their "bus" and drove us out to Hirum County to the Johnson home where Joseph and Emma Smith lived with the Johnson family.

All 9 kids in the bus: L to R, front to back: Aurora, Thomas, Gideon, Sammy, Joshua, Adelynne, Spring, Mary, and Amy.
Just above, Aurora was a little naughty and went under the rope. bottom right corner picture is our group in front of the Johnson home on the doorstep where Joseph Smith preached the morning after he was dragged from the home by a mob and tarred and feathered. The exposure to the weather from the mob breaking into the home caused the death of Joseph's infant son. The picture of Dustin holding an upset Aurora and Spring standing beside him is the room just inside the front door where Emma and Joseph slept with their babies. Yes, the floor is original, the bright colors and feathered painting on the mantel in the summer kitchen were very modern designs.

Below left is a picture of the Kirtland Temple. The early Saints sacrificed so much to build this temple. They did it because they had great faith and believed that God would bless them. And He did! Jesus Christ himself appeared in the temple, and many other ancient prophets. I love the accounts of the Saints who were present on the day the Kirtland Temple was dedicated, they truly witnessed miracles and blessings from the heavens. Below right, Dustin and I and our uncooperative daughters sitting on the porch of the Newel K. Whitney Store. Here in this store Joseph Smith received revelations from God, one of which is the Word of Wisdom, a commandment to refrain from tobacco, alcohol, and teas and coffee, and also to eat healthy to take care of our bodies.
Above Right: oops! I already posted this picture above. But above Left, Dustin in the room of the School of the Prophets, where priesthood men gathered to study and read from the scriptures and learn the will of God.

Thank you for a wonderful week Joel Biggs Family! We loved the time we spent with you all.


1 comment:

Our Biggs Family said...

We loved having you with us and were so grateful you were willing to come out. Our kids still talk about the fun they had with cousins. Your kids weren't ill behaved, either. They are kids...out of their routine, and just being kids. We want them to be perfect, or at least the way they usually are for us and they don't always have the same thought in mind! You are great parents and it shows in your children. Don't be so hard on yourself or your girls. The good thing about visiting people with children is they know "kids will be kids" and we all have had those moments! We loved having you with us.